Those who prefer watching TV are less likely to sympathise with others

Finally, the volunteers were tested on their interpersonal skills and prosocial behaviour – things like how much they considered people’s feelings, whether they could see things from different points of view and whether they acted to help others.

Researchers found people who preferred reading novels were more likely to show positive social behaviour and be able to empathise with others.

But those who preferred watching TV did not have the same ability to empathise and were more likely to show antisocial behaviour.

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Readers of drama and romance novels were best able to understand other people, while lovers of experimental books showed more positive social behaviour and ability to see things from different perspectives.

Comedy fans scored the highest for being able to relate to others.

Researchers suggested this could be because reading books allows people to see things from other people’s points of view, which makes them better able to understand others.